Articles

Keynote Speaker - March 2020

Michael Rogers - City of Dallas Transportation Director

Topic:  IH-30 and IH-345 Improvements

City of Dallas Transportation Director Michael Rogers is dedicated to improving the quality of life of all by providing a safe inclusive transportation system through Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, and Equity.  As Director, Mr. Rogers joined the City of Dallas executive team in 2017 to build the new Department of Transportation by providing organizational leadership which has changed the philosophy of planning and delivering public infrastructure by aligning mobility projects and programs with the city’s strategic priorities. This effort is being carried out through the implementation of the city’s first Strategic Mobility Plan that is providing the linkages of transportation to housing, economic development, workforce development, safety, and quality of life.

Prior to joining the City of Dallas, Mr. Rogers was the Director of Transportation for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina. While in Raleigh, Mr. Rogers played a significant role in the successful passage of the $2.38 billion Wake County Transit Bond and the $207 million transportation bond. As Public Works Director in Peoria, Illinois Mr. Rogers was responsible for the successful negotiations with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for the first in the nation 100% green infrastructure solution to its longstanding combined sewer overflow consent decree. This sustainable approach is saving the city approximately $500 million from a previous approach of resolving the sewer overflows. As Assistant Director of Public Works for the seventh largest city in the U.S., San Antonio, Texas Mr. Rogers provided a leading role in passage and delivery of a $700 million infrastructure bond. 

Mr. Rogers has also gained numerous years of experience working in the State of Michigan, as Director of Roads in Wayne County, the largest county in the State of Michigan.  As well as working for MDOT and as a private business owner, running an engineering consulting firm.

Originally from Michigan, Director Rogers has an MS in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University; a BS Construction Engineering degree from Lawrence Technological University; and a fellowship from the County Leadership institute, New York University’s Graduate School of Public Services.